Food NI chief welcomes success on Ox on restaurant awards
Food NI chief executive Michele Shirlow has congratulated Ox in Belfast in national restaurant awards, announced today.
Ox was named Restaurant of the Year in the Waitrose Good Food Guide 2016 Editors’ Awards.
Mrs Shirlow said: “This is a stunning achievement by the team at Ox in one of the UK’s most prestigious awards for premium restaurants. It’s tremendous news for the restaurant and also for its quality suppliers in Northern Ireland food and drink industry.
“The award positions Ox among the very best in the UK and also highlights the quality of the food scene in Belfast and Northern Ireland to a national audience. It enhances Northern Ireland’s reputation as a European centre of culinary excellence, a standing which is adding substantially to our appeal to tourists seeking a destination with a variety of attractions including great food.
“This is extremely important because research shows that upwards of a third of visitor spend is on food and drink. They expect to experience locally sourced food produced by people dedicated to excellent products with outstanding success.
“The awards show potential visitors that they can expect highly creative menus here with dishes using wholesome ingredients with safety and provenance. It is also an important development as we prepare for next year’s Northern Ireland Year of Food, a year-long programme which will focus attention on dynamic, innovative and quality conscious restaurant scene and our superb local food and drink.”
